Apparatus for Skateboard Truck

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an apparatus for a truck of a skateboard. The truck includes a joining means and a positioning means. The joining means has one end connected to a deck of the skateboard and another end movably connected to the positioning means. The hatch system includes a binding means and at least one biasing means. The binding means is removably connected to the positioning means via at least one fixing means. At least one biasing means is adapted in use to be held in compression between the joining means and the binding means. The fixing means is configured such that upon initial engagement thereof with the hanger, the biasing means is not in compression.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an apparatus for a truck of a skate board. The invention particularly relates to an apparatus for facilitating installation and changing of suspension springs in a truck of a skate board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is generally desirable for surfers and snowboarders to have a training tool which is capable of simulating surfing and snowboarding maneuvers so that training can take place in a controlled and stable environment.

There is known Streetboardz™ skateboard which is commonly used as such a cross training tool for a variety of training drills to benefit surfers and snowboarders who can skate to recreate surfing or snowboarding on land.

The Streetboardz™ skateboard typically includes a truck consisting of either a long or short hanger, a base plate and a king pin which joins the hanger to the base plate. Between the base plate and the hanger are grommets and bushings which provide a cushion mechanism for turning the skateboard.

Some existing trucks in the marketplace include one or more coil suspension springs for facilitating the maneuvering of the skateboard. The suspension springs are removable such that they can be replaced by springs with different gauges. Each spring has a particular gauge providing a specific turning radius. A change of the springs can have the effect of making a turn harder or easier.

Existing coil suspension truck systems in the marketplace have a shortcoming in that installation and changing of the springs involve a tedious and cumbersome process which requires dexterity and exertion of a large force with steady and strong hands or equipment. In other words, such coil suspension truck systems are not very user-friendly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which may overcome or ameliorate the above shortcoming or which will at least provide a useful alternative.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for a truck of a skateboard, the truck including a joining means and a positioning means, the joining means having one end connected to a deck of the skateboard and another end movably connected to the positioning means, the hatch system including:

-   a binding means removably connected to the positioning means via at     least one fixing means, and -   at least one biasing means adapted in use to be held in compression     between the joining means and the binding means; -   wherein the fixing means is configured such that upon initial     engagement thereof with the hanger, the biasing means is not in     compression.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a truck for a skateboard including an apparatus as described above. The apparatus may be referred to as a hatch system.

Preferably, the joining means takes the form of a base plate and the positioning means that of a hanger.

In a preferred embodiment, the base plate takes the form of a U-shaped bracket. In this embodiment, the U-shaped bracket preferably includes a middle portion with at least one protrusion stemming therefrom. Most preferably, the bracket includes a pair of protrusions.

In a preferred embodiment, the base plate is pivotally connected to the hanger via a pin (generally referred to as king pin). Preferably, the pin when in use is disposed in a substantially horizontal position.

The hanger preferably includes at least one aperture adapted to receive the at least one biasing means. More preferably, there are two apertures, each configured to receive a biasing means.

The hanger is preferred to include a pair of arms. Each of the arms may be configured to connect to a wheel of the skateboard.

In a preferred embodiment, the binding means is configured to fit into a hub provided in the hanger. The binding means is preferred to include at least one, but preferably, a pair of protuberances. In use, the binding means is fitted into the hub of the hanger. As such, the protuberances of the binding means are aligned with the corresponding protrusions of the bracket, respectively.

Preferably, the biasing means are coil springs. More preferably, each coil spring has a first end adapted in use to engage the protrusion of the bracket and a second end adapted to engage the protuberance of the binding means. Each biasing means is preferred to be configured such that when not compressed, it creates a first gap between the binding means and the hanger.

In a preferred embodiment, the fixing means is a screw having an externally threaded elongate body adapted to be passed through an orifice provided in the binding means and then received within a corresponding internally threaded hole provided in the hanger. The screw preferably includes a flanged head configured in use to abut an area surrounding the orifice.

The elongate body of the screw is preferred to be of such a length that upon initial engagement of the elongate body and the hole in the hanger, there is a second gap between the flanged head and the area surrounding the orifice.

Preferably, as the screw is advanced further into the hole, the second gap is progressively closed until the flanged head of the screw abuts the area surrounding the orifice. As a result, the binding means may be brought closer to the positioning means until the binding means is fully received in the hub. As the binding means is moved closer to the positioning means, the springs are progressively forced into compression. Subsequent advancement of the screw into the hole may move the backing plate further towards the hanger thereby forcing the springs into compression.

Additional fixing means such as short screws may be passed through corresponding openings provided in the binding means, and then received within corresponding holes in the hanger, so as to further secure the binding means to the hanger.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing an apparatus for a truck of a skateboard, the truck comprising a joining means and a positioning means, the joining means having one end connected to a deck of the skateboard and another end movably connected to the positioning means, the method including the steps of:

-   providing at least one biasing means having first and second ends; -   passing the biasing means through an aperture provided in the     positioning means so that the first end of the biasing means engages     the joining means; -   engaging a binding means with the second end of the biasing means; -   passing at least one fixing means through an orifice provided in the     binding means, the fixing means being configured such that upon     initial engagement thereof with the positioning means, the biasing     means is not in compression; -   engaging the fixing means with the positioning means; and -   connecting the binding means to the positioning means via the fixing     means thereby progressively causing the biasing means to be held in     compression between the joining means and the binding means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of a preferred embodiment, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a truck in combination with an apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view from above of a positioning means (ie. a hanger) being part of the truck of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 b is a perspective view from below of the positioning means of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 2 c is a plan view from above of the positioning means of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 2 d is a side view of the positioning means of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 2 e is a plan view from below of the positioning means of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 2 f is an end view of the positioning means of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view from above of a binding means being part of the hatch system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 b is a perspective view from below of the binding means of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 c is a plan view from above of the binding means of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 d is a side view of the binding means of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 e is a plan view from below of the binding means of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 f is an end view of the binding means of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a biasing means being part of the hatch system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic (not to scale) cross sectional view showing the configuration and arrangement of a fixing means, the truck of FIG. 1, the binding means of FIG. 3 a and the biasing means of the hatch system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus 10, which may be referred to as a hatch system, is in combination with a truck of a skateboard (not shown). The truck of the skateboard consists of a joining means and a positioning means. The joining means is in the form of a base plate which in this embodiment is a U-shaped bracket 12 for attaching to the skateboard. The positioning means is in the form of a hanger 14.

The hatch system 10 has a binding means, a pair of biasing means and a fixing means. The binding means takes the form of a backing plate 18. The hanger 14 is pivotally connected to the bracket 12 by a king pin 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, the backing plate 18 is removably connected to the hanger 14 via a fixing means in the form of a long screw 20 and two additional fixing means in the form of short screws 22 and 24. The U-shaped bracket 12 has a middle portion 30 and a pair of protrusions 26 and 28 (28 not visible in FIG. 1) stemming from the middle portion 30.

Turning to FIGS. 2 a to 2 f, the hanger 14 has two apertures 32 and 34 located side by side. Each aperture 32, 34 is configured to receive a biasing means in the form of a coil spring 36, 38, as best shown in FIGS. 2 c and 2 e. The hanger 14 also has a pair of arms 40 and 42. Each of the arms 40 and 42 is connected to a wheel of the skateboard via suitable connecting means.

Referring to FIGS. 3 a to 3 f, the backing plate 18 includes two lateral extensions 44 and 46. The backing plate 18 is designed to fit into a hub 48 provided in the hanger 14 (FIG. 2 e). The backing plate 18 has a pair of protuberances 50 and 52. Once the backing plate 18 is fitted into the hub 48 of the hanger 14, each protuberance 50, 52 of the backing plate 18 is aligned with a corresponding protrusion 26, 28 of the bracket 12 (FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 4, each coil spring 36, 38 has a first end 54 for engaging the protrusion 26 or 28 of the bracket 12 and a second end 56 for engaging the protuberance 50 or 52 of the backing plate 18. In use, the springs 36 and 38 are received in the apertures 32 and 34 (FIG. 2 c), both being sandwiched between the bracket 12 and backing plate 18. As such, the spring coils 36 and 38 are held in compression in use between the bracket 12 and the backing plate 18.

Referring to FIG. 1, the long screw 20 has an externally threaded elongate body 58 and is passed through an orifice 60 provided in the backing plate 18 and then received within a corresponding internally threaded hole 62 provided in the hanger 14. The screw 20 has a flanged head 64 which in use is countersunk to abut an area 66 surrounding the orifice.

Once the backing plate 18 is connected to the hanger 14 via the long screw 20, the additional screws 22 and 24 are passed through the openings 68 and 70 and received within internally threaded holes 72 and 74 to reinforce the connection.

The method and procedure involved in assembling the hatch system 10 are now described. The springs 36 and 38 are passed through the apertures 32 and 34 and then brought into engagement with the protrusions 26 and 28, respectively. At this juncture, the springs 36 and 38 are in contact with the protrusions 26 and 28, respectively, but are not in compression. As such, the springs 36 and 38 create a first gap indicated by A-A (refer to FIG. 1) between the backing plate 18 and the hanger 14.

The backing plate 18 is then brought into contact with the springs 36 and 38 in such a way that the protuberances 50 and 52 are received within the interior of the coil springs 36 and 38. The backing plate 18 is effectively supported by and resting on the springs 36 and 38 at this stage. The screw 20 is then passed through the orifice 60 of the backing plate 18 and subsequently screwed into the hole 62 of the hanger 14.

Referring to FIG. 5, the elongate body 58 of the long screw 20 is of such a length that upon initial engagement of an end 76 of the elongate body 58 and the hole 62 of the hanger 14, there is a second gap indicated by B-B between the flanged head 64 and the area 66 surrounding the orifice. At this juncture, no pressure is applied on the springs 36 and 38 which are not in compression.

As the screw 20 is advanced further into the hole 62, the second gap B-B is progressively closed until the flanged head 64 of the screw 20 abuts the area 66 surrounding the orifice 60. As a result, the backing plate 18 is brought closer to the hanger 14 until the backing plate 18 is fully received in the hub 48. As the backing plate 18 is moved closer to the hanger 14, the springs 36 and 38 are progressively forced into compression. Subsequent advancement of the screw 20 into the hole 62 moves the backing plate 18 further towards the hanger 14 thereby subjecting the springs 36 and 38 to an even greater compressional force. The additional screws 22 and 24 are passed through the openings 68 and 70, and then received within the holes 72 and 74, respectively, so as to enhance the connection between backing plate 18 and the hanger 14.

In order to replace the existing springs 36 and 38 with new or different springs of different strength, the additional screws 22 and 24 and then screw 20 are unscrewed to allow removal of the backing plate 18. Once the backing plate 18 is removed, the springs 36 and 38 may be retrieved for installation of replacement springs.

Now that a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in some detail, it will be apparent to a skilled person in the art that the hatch system may offer at least the following advantages:

-   -   1. it allows installation or changing of the springs to be         independent of the hanger and the base plate which are         releasably connected;     -   2. it enables installation of the springs in a simple manner         requiring minimum skill, tool and dexterity;     -   3. it facilitates easy and frequent replacement of the springs,         allowing the rider to simulate different surfing and         snowboarding conditions; and     -   4. the king pin being disposed in a horizontal orientation         provides a pivoting point which enables close simulation of         surfing & snowboarding maneuvers.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description. 

1. An apparatus for a truck of a skateboard, the truck including a joining means and a positioning means, the joining means having one end connected to a deck of the skateboard and another end movably connected to the positioning means, the hatch system including: a binding means removably connected to the positioning means via at least one fixing means, and at least one biasing means adapted in use to be held in compression between the joining means and the binding means; wherein the fixing means is configured such that upon initial engagement thereof with the hanger, the biasing means is not in compression.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the joining means takes the form of a base plate and the positioning means that of a hanger.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base plate takes the form of a U-shaped bracket.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the U-shaped bracket includes a middle portion with at least one protrusion stemming therefrom.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the U-shaped bracket includes a pair of protrusions.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the base plate is pivotally connected to the hanger via a pin.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pin when in use is disposed in a substantially horizontal position.
 8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hanger includes at least one aperture adapted to receive the at least one biasing means.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hanger includes two apertures, each configured to receive a biasing means.
 10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hanger includes a pair of arms, each arm being configured to connect to a wheel of the skateboard.
 11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the binding means is configured to fit into a hub provided in the hanger.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the binding means includes at least one protuberance.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the binding means includes a pair of protuberances.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the protuberances of the binding means are aligned with the corresponding protrusions of the bracket, respectively.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biasing means are coil springs.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each coil spring has a first end adapted in use to engage the protrusion of the bracket and a second end adapted to engage the protuberance of the binding means.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each coil is configured such that when not compressed, it creates a first gap between the binding means and the hanger.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fixing means is a screw having an externally threaded elongate body adapted to be passed through an orifice provided in the binding means and then received within a corresponding internally threaded hole provided in the hanger.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the screw includes a flanged head configured in use to be countersunk to abut an area surrounding the orifice.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the elongate body of the screw is of such a length that upon initial engagement of the elongate body and the hole in the hanger, there is a second gap between the flanged head and the area surrounding the orifice.
 21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein as the screw is advanced further into the hole, the second gap is progressively closed until the flanged head of the screw abuts the area surrounding the orifice.
 22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein as the binding means is moved closer to the positioning means, the springs are progressively forced into compression.
 23. The apparatus of claim 1 which includes additional fixing means passed through corresponding openings provided in the binding means, and then received within corresponding holes in the hanger, so as to further secure the binding means to the hanger.
 24. A truck for a skateboard including an apparatus of claim
 1. 25. A method of providing an apparatus for a truck of a skateboard, the truck comprising a joining means and a positioning means, the joining means having one end connected to a deck of the skateboard and another end movably connected to the positioning means, the method including the steps of: providing at least one biasing means having first and second ends; passing the biasing means through an aperture provided in the positioning means so that the first end of the biasing means engages the joining means; engaging a binding means with the second end of the biasing means; passing at least one fixing means through an orifice provided in the binding means, the fixing means being configured such that upon initial engagement thereof with the positioning means, the biasing means is not in compression; engaging the fixing means with the positioning means; and connecting the binding means to the positioning means via the fixing means thereby progressively causing the biasing means to be held in compression between the joining means and the binding means. 